Washington Apple Pi

Gripsholm Castle (I)

Seen today along the shore of Lake Mälaren, with
pleasure craft docked not too far away, Gripsholm Castle
looks pleasant and peaceful. But it is actually a massively
constructed brick and stone fortification, built by King
Gustav Vasa (founder of the Vasa dynasty) in the 16th
century as a refuge for his family in case Stockholm was
attacked.

This is not the first castle on the site; an earlier
castle was built in the 13th century, and even older Viking
fortifications found a home here.

What would a traditional castle be without a drawbridge?
This structure, complete with iron counterweights, was
designed to raise the bridge in a hurry, forcing any
attacking force to contend with either the moat or, on the
opposite side of the castle, Lake Mälaren itself.